Cheetah D & C – The end…..

2 Sqdn bid farewell to their namesake in spectacular fashion.

At timed intervals before 17h00 on Wednesday 2 April 2008 the runways at Mahkado AFB were filled with the all familiar thunderous sound of the SNECMA Atar 09k50 engine. First to rotate and climb away in a shallow bank was the newly appointed OC of 2 Sqdn Lt Col Glen Gibson in Cheetah C no 365. He was followed by another 12 Cheetah aircraft of both the C and D models. As the Cheetah D is a dual seater the second seat of each of the D models housed a special guest of Honour. This included the current Chief of the SAAF (CAF), Lt Gen C. Gagiano and other members of the exclusive “Cheetah Family”.  Last to get airborne was the soloist aircraft.

They were to take part in the final tribute to a unique delta-winged aircraft type which introduced a number of modern fighter design elements as part of a formidable package into the SAAF fighter line. Meanwhile, around 800 members of the “Cheetah Family” and other guests assembled in the adjoining area of the very large servicing hangar of 3 ASU, AFB Makhado, for the aerial display. With the sun setting in this part of the Bushveld, “Sniper Formation One” let by Lt Col G. Gibson “Sniper” arrived over 3 ASU at exactly 17h00. Sniper Formation One was in the form of a Cheetah aircraft complete with delta wing and canards.

10 ship Cheetah formation